"Auntie, can your expedition team keep Robin safe while exploring history?"
After ensuring Robin's safety, Rob turned to Olvia and asked again.
Olvia was silent for a while, recalling the dangers encountered while exploring historical texts in the past few years. She couldn't help frowning and shaking her head.
With a face full of regret, she said:
"Probably... impossible!"
The strength of the expedition team is not very strong, especially after entering the Grand Line.
If they bring a child, it will be a heavy burden for the entire expedition team. She can't add more troubles or even dangers to everyone in the expedition team because of her own reasons!
"In this case--"
Hearing Olvia's answer, Rob nodded and said:
"I will not hand Robin over to you, even if you are Robin's mother. I will not let her go with you! Your voyage is too dangerous. Once Robin becomes a burden at some point, both you and she could be left behind by the expedition team!"
"Even you may be forced by others to make the same decision as when you were in Ohara—find someone you think you can trust, and put Robin in foster care somewhere!"
"And the facts have proved that, Auntie, you really don't have a good eye for seeing people. Even your own brother was wrong! Don't even mention other strangers."
This brat is really ruthless in speaking!
Rob's words made Olvia's face show an embarrassed expression, and she had no way to refute. After all, what he said was true. She couldn't even see what her younger brother was like, let alone strangers.
As for the possibility of being abandoned by the expedition team as Rob said, even if Olvia wanted to refute it, as an adult who had been sailing on the sea for several years, she really couldn't.
All adults.
There are some things you can't deny!
Seeing that Olvia had nothing to say, Robin beside her was silent for a while, visibly saddened, with her head lowered, eating the food in her bowl like a chicken pecking at rice!
She is sensible.
She also understands—
Her own weakness will become a burden to her mother, and the possibility that Rob just mentioned is real!
At this moment, Robin feels that she is a burden, a real burden to everyone, and she has given up on herself a little bit.
Noticing Robin's emotional changes, it was rare that Rob didn't take care of her thoughts. There are some things she must experience. Long-term pain is worse than short-term pain. It's better to explain everything clearly now!
The longer the delay, the more painful it will be when making a decision in the future.
"I have two proposals—"
Looking at Olvia, Rob cut to the chase:
"The first proposal, Auntie, you leave the current expedition team and come to Robin and my boat. I can take you to explore history. Although the speed is not as fast as your professional expedition team, I have the strength to protect both you and Robin!"
"The second proposal, please give Robin to me to take care of, and you can continue to pursue your dreams. She is my treasure, and I will take good care of her! After seeing our living environment, you must be reassured as well."
Taking Robin to find Olvia was partly to let their mother and daughter meet, maybe even for the last time, and also to try to save Olvia.
But more—
It was clear that Rob wanted Olvia to hand Robin over to him for care!
This was also justifiable, and Robin's future life could be securely tied to him.
Hearing the two proposals from Rob, Robin raised her head and looked at Olvia expectantly. She very much hoped that her mother would be able to board her and Rob's boat. In this way, she would not only have the protection and love of Oni-chan, but also the company of her mother. It seemed like the best of both worlds.
Her large, bright eyes looked at Olvia, full of anticipation:
"Mom, do you want to come on the boat with Oni-chan and me?"
Reaching out to rub Robin's little head, Olvia didn't agree directly but fell into thought.
After a long time, Olvia turned to look at Rob:
"Can I think about it for a few days?"
Not making an immediate decision, Olvia planned to think about it for a few days and get along well with Robin to make up for lost time.
Rob nodded in agreement:
"Yes! Robin and I can stay here until you set sail again. During this time, please accompany Robin and consider my proposal."
Olvia smiled slightly:
"Good!"
With that, the topic was put to rest. The atmosphere at the dining table turned warm and pleasant, and no further distressing topics were discussed.
That night, Olvia stayed on the sloop to rest with Robin.
On the deck, Rob lay casually on a chair, covered with a blanket, looking up at the mysterious and vast starry sky. He muttered to himself:
"It looks like Olvia won't be on my boat after all."
When Rob presented the proposal, there was a moment when Olvia's heart wavered. But soon her mood steadied.
Thus, it seemed unlikely she'd leave the expedition team to join Rob's ship.
Rob guessed there were two reasons for her hesitation—
On one hand, there was her dream of exploring the historical texts. After all, the professional team was indeed much faster than a makeshift team like his.
On the other hand, Olvia likely knew that researching historical texts was prohibited by the World Government. She was worried that it might lead to disaster, dragging both Rob and Robin into peril.
The second reason was probably what Olvia thought about the most!
No matter what choice Olvia made, Rob had no objections and would not interfere too much in her decision. The opportunity had been given, and it was up to Olvia to seize it.
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